This research is being done to collect preliminary data on the potential of computerized"brain-training" exercises for treating Long COVID symptoms in older adults. Theinvestigators hypothesize that computerized brain-training will be an acceptable andfeasible intervention for treating Long COVID symptoms in older adults. The investigatorsalso expect to provide initial evidence that computerized brain-training has potentialfor improving thinking, mood, and other aspects of everyday functioning in older adultswith Long COVID.
Some patients who contract coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially older adults,
show lingering neuropsychiatric symptoms such as cognitive impairment, brain fog, and
depression. These neuropsychiatric symptoms-commonly referred to under the umbrella term
"Long COVID"-are debilitating and may last for months or even years after viral
infection. The purpose of the present study is to help address this public health crisis
by determining whether computerized "brain-training" treatment has potential for
improving thinking, mood, and other aspects of functioning in older adults with Long
COVID. More specifically, the first aim is to determine the acceptability and feasibility
of using brain-training treatment in individuals with Long COVID. The second aim is to
evaluate for potential efficacy by determining whether brain-training treatment appears
to improve cognitive function, mood, and other aspects of daily functioning in Long
COVID.
Other: NeuroFlex (computerized gamified tasks)
The computerized cognitive remediation intervention ("NeuroFlex") consists of a series of
gamified tasks (e.g., BrainHQ, Neurogrow, Ultimate Word Master) administered via computer
tablet. The intervention provides both "bottom up" training to improve basic processing
of sensory stimuli and "top down" training to improve executive functions. Participants
will be asked to complete approximately 7.5 hours a week of computer treatment over an
approximately 6-week period, for a total of approximately 45 hours of treatment. The
treatment will be completed remotely by the participant within their own home or other
private location that is most convenient for the participant.
Inclusion Criteria:
- prior history of COVID-19 based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
guidelines including a positive laboratory test (e.g., nucleic acid amplification
test) or a positive rapid test
- age ≥ 60 years old
- current self-reported cognitive symptoms persisting after the acute phase of the
illness (i.e., >4 weeks after COVID-19 symptom onset) that cannot be explained by
alternative diagnoses
- evidence of subjective cognitive impairment with a Functional Assessment of Cancer
Therapy - Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog) Perceived Cognitive Impairment (PCI)
Subscale Score of ≤ 40 and/or endorsing any item on the FACT-Cog PCI Subscale as
occurring nearly every day or several times a day
- Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS) ≥ 27
- fluent in English
- off psychiatric medications or on a stable dose for at least 1 month prior to
commencing the study with no intention to change dose prior to completion of the
study.
Exclusion Criteria:
- history of neurological disorder or other medical condition with potential to impair
cognitive functioning or interfere with study participation (e.g., epilepsy, stroke,
dementia, head trauma followed by persistent neurological deficits or known
structural brain abnormalities)
- prior diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or Mild Neurocognitive Disorder
unrelated to the participant's history of COVID-19
- history of significant psychiatric illness per Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), criteria that may interfere with study
participation or confound results (e.g., schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder,
bipolar and related disorders, major depressive disorder with psychotic features,
personality disorder)
- history of significant neurodevelopmental condition that may interfere with study
participation or confound results (e.g., intellectual disability, autism spectrum
disorder)
- alcohol or other substance use disorder within the past 2 years
- significant sensory or motor impairments (e.g., blindness) that may interfere with
the ability to complete neuropsychological measures or engage in the intervention
UConn Health
Farmington, Connecticut, United States
Investigator: Jennifer Brindisi
Contact: (860) 679-7581
brindisi@uchc.edu
Holly Eddy, Ph.D., LMFT-S
860-679-3751
eddy@uchc.edu
Jennifer Brindisi, M.A.
860-679-7581
brindisi@uchc.edu
Cutter Lindbergh, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
UConn Health